T^'  ^"""-'^  iiiiiii      ^"^-^     -        "  ■"^~'-       I       '^■■'•l-"  "''''■  ''''^'  '--""- 


AN   ADDRESS, 


BEIilVEREO   AT   THK 


COMMENCEMENT  AT  FLORAL  COLLEGE, 


I 

■    JUNE    1S53, 


BY   J.    D,    WILSON, 


OF  SOCIETY  HILL,  kS    0 


PUBLISHED   AT   THE    KEQUKST   OF   THE   KOAKU    OF    JllCS'lEES   u> 
THE   COLLEGE. 


fayettevilj.e: 
PRIJ^TED  DY  EDWAKD  J.  HALK,  &  Si^N. 

J  8  5:;. 


AN    ADDRESS 


DELIVERED    AT    THE 


COMMENCEMENT  AT  FLORAL  COLLEGE. 


JUNE    185  3, 


BY   J.    D.    WILSOM, 


OF  SOCIETY  HILL,  kS.  C. 


PUJJLiSlIEl)    AT    TH.K    REQl-EST    OF    THE    BoARU    fjF    TKl;^TEES    C)F 
THE    COLLEGE., 


:<^AYETTEV1LLE  : 

PRINTED  BY  EDWAKD  J.  HALE  &  SON. 

18  53. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2013 


http://archive.org/details/addressdeliveredOOwils_0 


ADDRESS. 


THE  TENDENCY  OF  THE  AGE— ITS  CORRECTIVE. 

Eveiy  period  of  the  world  has  been  marked  by  some  event 
of  startling  interest  to  the  physical  and  moral  being  of  our  race. 
From  the  conquest  of  Attila,  whose  iron  footsteps  left  their  trace 
upon  the  surface  of  the  civilized  world,  to  the  days  of  Peter  the 
Hermit,  whose  wild  and  thrilling  eloquence  swept  like  a  sirocco 
over  the  moral  feelings  of  Europe,  are  clearly  traceable  two 
■  leading  characteristics;  the  former  consigning,  apparently,  to 
moral  oblivion,  the  last  and  best  traces  of  a  refined  civilization; 
the  latter,  pointing  as  with  the  finger  of  hope,  to  the  star  in  the 
East,  where  reposed  in  silent  sadness  the  strongest  and  purest 
affections  of  our  nature.  And  though  the  Crescent  still  waves 
in  triumph  over  the  Sepulchre,  which  was  the  long  wished  for 
trophy  of  Europe's  mailed  ^  cavaliers,  yet  the  fruits  of  victory 
have  been  reaped  by  the  conquests  of  art  over  ignorance,  and 
civilization  over  barbarism.  The  moral  impulse  of  this  mighty 
movement  was  developed  in  the  age  of  Luther,  and  has  been 
seemingly  completed  in  our  own  time. 

Happily  for  us,  the  restless  genius  of  man  has  been  diverted 
from  the  pursuit  of  arms  to  the  cultivation  of  the  arts,  and  the 
triumphs  of  Fulton  and  Morse  have  linked  by  hooks  of  steel 
the  moral  interests  of  the  world,  which  only  the  convulsive  throes 
of  decaying  nations  can  rend  asunder. 

Though  distinguished  particularly  for  the  triumph  of  art,  yet 
the  present  age  possesses  many  of  the  seeds  which  germinate 
its  own  destruction,  and  occasionally  forebode  the  return  of 
those  conflicts  which  marked  the  struggles  of  the  past.  Among 
those  may  be  regarded  the  fruitless  and  fatal  efforts  of  Conti- 
nental Europe  for  the  establishment  of  republican  governments, 
and  the  tendency  of  extravagant  and  expensive  life,  which  in 
I  the  history  of  former  people  but  too  truly  forebode  the  dissolu- 
-^  tion  of  those  bonds  which  connect  society  together.   The  mother 


of  tlie  Gracchi  could  hardly  have  foreseen,  in  the  austere  and 
sensitive  course  of  life  which  she  pursued,  the  political  aud 
moral  profligacy  which  in  after  years  distinguislied  her  own 
race.  Still  less  could  the  patriotic  females  of  our  revolutionary 
memory,  devoted  alike  to  the  comforts  and  duties  of  home  as 
to  the  successful  struggle  of  their  countrymen  for  an  indepen- 
dent government,  have  foreseen  the  withering  influence  of  cor- 
ruption upon  the  habits  and  tastes  of  republican  simplicity. 
And  yet  in  the  sliort  period  of  three-fourths  of  a  century  has 
republican  America  successfully  adopted  the  manners  and  ex- 
travagance of  monarchical  Europe;  and  the  latter,  as  if  unwil- 
ling to  be  preceded  in  this  contest  by  her  younger  sister,  has 
taxed  not  only  ingenuity,  but  wrung  remorselessly  from  bitter 
poverty,  still  further  means  for  the  indulgence  of  her  insatiate 
appetite.  The  encomiums  so  often  given  to  successful  invent- 
ors in  the  departments  of  art  have  doubtless  stimulated  to  in- 
creased activity  tlie  inventive  faculty  of  man,  Avithout  perhaps 
contributing  to  the  moral  improvement  of  his  race.  An  excep- 
tion may  be  made  to  tliis  remark  in  the  invention  of  the  Print- 
ing Press,  which  uncpiestionably  has  contributed  more  to  the 
intellectual  regeneration  of  man  than  any  other;  and  yet  the 
printing  press  has  been  too  often  converted  into  an  impure  stream, 
desolating  in  its  course  tlie  moral  surface  of  the  community. 

I  kit  where  is  there  another  without  its  corresponding  evil? 
The  steam  engine  has  but  placed  us  in  too  close  proximity  with 
other  races.  True,  it  has  disclosed  to  the  adventurous  merchant 
the  avenues  of  wealtli,  but  placed  within  reach  of  the  toiling 
millions  the  sources  of  extravagance  ajid  waste.  The  concen- 
tration of  capital  at  given  points,  the  inevitable  results  either 
of  invention  or  discovery,  is  but  the  concentration  of  moral  and 
political  corruption,  which  gradually  but  surely  diil'uses  itself 
thruughout  the  body  politic,  as  the  virnlent  })oison  in  the  hu- 
nian  system. 

The  magnetic  telegraph,  truly  wondrous  in  its  effects,  because 
it  seemingly  controls  the  subtle  fluid  which  speeds  across  the 
heavens  with  inconceivable  velocity,  is  but  the  channel  of  partial 
improvement,  yet  to  l)e  systematized  and  reduced  to  tlie  sub- 
servience of  practical  life. 

But  aj^art  from  these,  which  successive  improvements  may 


render  of  permanent  advantage,  another  tendency  of  the  age 
consists  in  transcendental  refinement,  which  neglects  the  solid 
improvements  for  the  ephemeral  gratification  of  the  day.  Taste 
and  delicacy  are  sacrificed  for  the  various  changes  v^^hich  sug- 
gest themselves  to  the  eye,  and  luxury  hurls  its  victims  deeper 
and  deeper  in  the  vortex  of  fashion  and  extravagance,  neglect- 
ed by  its  votaries,  the  helpless  and  hopeless  objects  of  despond- 
ency and  despair.  This  spectacle  is  often  presented  in  our 
cities,  already  become  overburdened  with  a  teeming  popula- 
tion, which  live  upon  the  labor  of  others,  and  exact  an  almost 
regal  splendor  from  the  unsophisticated  sons  of  toil.  This  vi- 
tiated taste  has  given  rise  to  the  various  movements  in  the 
moral  and  social  w^orld,  such  as  Fourierism,  agrarianism,  con- 
ventions— ostensibly  for  the  reformation,  but  really  for  the  de- 
famation of  character.  Public  sentiment  becomes  excited;  it 
requires  some  aliment  for  support.  The  monotony  of  books  or 
domestic  cares  cannot  supply  the  vacuum,  and  a  resort  to  pub- 
lic exhibitions  is  the  result.  The  sphere  of  woman  seems  to  be 
that  of  retirement.  Secluded  by  vocations  which  shut  out  the 
world,  she  should  live  in  the  practice  of  those  virtues  which 
adorn  and  dignify  her  sex.  A  false  system  of  philosophy  has 
driven  her  from  that  retirement  peculiarly  her  own,  and  woman, 
the  real  mistress  of  the  world,  asserts  the  delusive  prerogative 
of  nominally  governing  the  course  of  events  by  an  active  parti- 
cipation in  the  public  duties  of  life.  Woman's  most  powerful 
influence  is  exerted  when  seemingly  restrained,  and  not  by  an 
excited  clamor  for  position  unsuited  to  her  sex,  and  a  harsh 
denunciation  of  the  age,  for  denying  what  reason  and  revelation 
have  never  assigned  her.  ISTone,  therefore,  in  a  cursory  glance 
at  the  progress  of  events,  need  be  startled  at  the  present  unset- 
tled tendency  of  human  character.  The  truth  is,  the  human 
mind  is  in  a  state  of  transition.  After  emerging  from  the  dark- 
ness of  the  middle  ages,  its  ceaseless  efforts  have  been  for  infin- 
ity of  comprehension  and  action.  When  it  reaches  the  limits 
of  its  utmost  capacity,  much  of  its  crudities  and  errors,  modi- 
fied by  more  enlarged  wisdom,  will  have  become  softened  and 
improved  by  the  certainty  of  having  attained  the  culminating 
point  of  finite  understanding.  That  so  much  importance  has 
been  given  to  the  various  improvements  and  facilities  of  the 


age,  arises  irom  the  imperfect  knowledge  we  now  have  of  the 
ultimate  results  of  the  human  intellect.  This  intellect,  when 
matured  by  study,  and  chastened  by  a  more  profound  insight 
of  those  sublime  truths  which  kindle  in  the  heart  conceptions 
of  the  great  Architect  of  the  universe,  is  yet  to  expand  and  un- 
fold new  truths,  and  accomplish  results  at  present  beyond  our^ 
conce|)tioii. 

From  -the  points  glanced  at,  we  trust  no  unfavorable  infer- 
ence will  be  drawn  as  to  the  ultimate  improvement  of  our  race 
from  the  exertion  of  genius  and  intellect.  All  have  their  true 
position,  which  after  ages  alone  can  assign.  We  who  live  in 
the  midst  (if  them,  either  from  interest  or  extraordinary  excite- 
ment, from  the  sudden  changes  continually  occurring,  are  un- 
able to  form  a  mature  judgment,  and  hence  are  hurried  on  to 
excess. 

We  have  touched  upon  a  few  of  the  prominent  traits  of  the 
age,  as  manifesting  its  tendency,  with  the  view  of  pointing  out 
the  landmarks  which  guide  the  experienced  eye  in  the  great 
pathway  of  life,  as  the  far  distant  light-house  directs  the  mari- 
ner upon  the  pathless  ocean  to  avoid  the  shoals  which  lie  buried 
beneath  the  smootli  surface  of  the  w^ater. 

We  assert,  then,  that  the  corrective  is  in  laying  a  broad  and 
comprehensive  foundation  upon  which  to  rear  a  moral  and  in- 
tellectual superstructure,  from  which  may  be  gathered,  not  only 
a  knowledge  of  the  practical  duties  of  life,  l.^it  an  insight  into 
the  vast  future,  pregnant  with  the  interests  of  eternity. 

Education  has  often  been  defined  to  be  the  improvement  of 
the  mind.  This  is  but  a  partial  definition  of  the  great  business 
of  life.  It  is  not  in  the  exclusive  improvement  of  that  refined 
and  impassioned  attribute  which  distinguishes  man  from  crea- 
tion around  him,  and  in  its  purely  intellectual  character  assim- 
ilates him  to  the  Creator.  If  this  were  all,  the  intellectual 
Greek  would  still  liave  left  his  impress  upon  the  panorama  of 
life;  but  alas!  in  despite  of  his  rare  cultivation,  both  his  charac- 
ter and  his  language  but  linger  as  the  fitful  sunbeam  upon  the 
curtain  of  life,  obscured  by  the  dim  recollections  of  the  past, 
and  remembered  with  interest  only  as  the  combined  attractions 
of  distant  ages  and  romance  excite.  The  exclusive  cultivation 
of  the  intellect  but  ]>repares  us  for  half  the  duties  of  life.     It 


enables  us  to  discharge  those  duties,  without  learning  us  how 
to  do  it  properly.  To  render  this  knowledge  most  available, 
the  cultivation  of  the  heart  must  be  progressive,  t<;>  keep  pace 
with  the  onward  march  of  the  intellect.  There  must  be  a  just 
balance  between  the  two,  or  reason  gets  the  ascendancy,  and 
transcendentalism  becomes  the  controlling  influence  of  human 
conduct.  The  nice  but  just  distinctions  of  right  are  lost  in  the 
mazes  of  metaphysics,  and  subtle  reasoning  usurps  the  place  of 
facts.  Learning  is  but  the  experience  of  the  past,  by  its  history 
calculated  to  impress  the  understanding  with  the  importance 
of  events  that  have  their  influence  upon  the  present.  But  un- 
less a  proper  application  is  made  of  those  events,  the  teachings 
of  the  past  fall  upon  leaden  ears. 

"Man's  science  is  the  culture  of  his  heart; 
And  not  to  loose  his  plummet  in  the  depths 
Of  nature,  or  the  more  profound  of  God: — 
Not  deeply  to  discern,  not  much  to  know. 
Mankind  was  born  to  wonder  and  adore." 

Who  doubts  the  capacity  of  a  properly  trained  mind  for  a 
just  appreciation  of  truth, — that  truth  which  unfolds  the  reali- 
ties of  the  future,  as  shadowed  forth  by  the  experience  of  every- 
day life — of  tracing  causes  from  their  effects,  and  of  determin- 
ing results  from  their  antecedents?  Think  you,  that  Sir  Isaac 
Newton,  upon  the  discovery  of  the  law  of  gravitation,  by  a  close 
investigation  of  cause  and  efiect,  sunk  into  a  sleep  of  lethargy, 
when  it  became  intelligible  to  his  mind,  though  incomprehen- 
sible to  all  the  world?  Aroused  to  a  nervous  desire  to  investi- 
gate those  great  physical  truths,  he  j)roceeded  anxiously  from 
one  to  another,  until  the  beautiful  and  harmonious  system  of 
the  heavens  presented  itself  to  his  gaze,  as  he  has  developed  it 
to  us,  in  the  science  of  Astronomy.  There  we  are  taught  that 
every  minute  effect  in  the  physical  world  has  its  cause,  and  the 
glittering  planets,  revelling  in  the  bright  effulgence  of  light, 
are  kept  in  their  proper  sphere  by  those  laws  which  Omnipo- 
tence alone  has  made.  ''He  stretcheth  out  the  north  over  the 
empty  place,  and  hangeth  the  earth  upon  nothing."  Foi-  the 
first  time  the  glowing  imagery  of  Job  w^as  appreciated  by  the 
searching  intellect  of  the  philosopher,  who,  not  content  with 
the  occm-rences  of  this  world,  penetrated  the  curtain  which  sep- 


arates  heaven  from  earth,  and  revealed  those  sublime  truths, 
committed  only  occasionally  to  the  finite  comprehension  of 
man.  Compare  this  man,  whose  comprehensive  genius,  imited 
with  a  heart  of  rare  endowments,  made  him  the  wonder  of  his 
race,  with  that  subtle  intellect  whose  existence  reminds  us  of 
the  erratic  wanderer  through  the  heavens,  dissatisfied  with 
earth,  discontented  with  heaven.  In  point  of  quick  and  bril- 
liant intellect,  Mirabeau  would  compare  with  his  predecessors 
in  all  past  ages;  yet  totally  destitute  of  that  moral  sensibility 
which  completes  human  character,  he  threw  himself  into  the 
whirlpool  of  passion,  and  rendered  a  life  that  might  have  been 
acceptable  to  God,  hateful  to  man.  As  described  by  the  ele- 
gant Lamartine,  on  the  near  approach  of  death,  he  would  cry 
out  to  be  intoxicated  with  the  perfume  of  flowers.  Truth  was 
incomprehensible  to  his  mind,  with  all  its  searching  acuteness. 
The  moral  man  had  been  neglected  for  the  intellectual;  and  its 
bright  flashes,  which  scathed  and  seared  in  its  progress  the  in- 
tellectual man,  fell  harmless  upon  the  spiritual.  The  nicely 
balanced  scale,  which  might  have  given  to  him  another  and  a 
better  direction,  was  moved  by  an  atom.  Effects,  then  inex- 
plicable, are  now  traced  to  the  undue  preponderance  of  the  in- 
tellectual man,  and  the  refined  sensualist  luxuriates  in  a  flower 
garden  and  dies  under  the  influence  of  its  soft  perfume.  Alas! 
that  so  much,  destined  to  immortality,  should  have  lost  the- 
spiritual  for  the  less  enduring  shadow  of  the  intellect.  This 
combination  of  moral  and  intellectual  culture  qualifies  us,  there- 
fore, not  only  for  the  researches  of  science,  but  for  a  just  and 
proper  appreciation  of  those  sublime  truths  which  are  continu- 
ally unfolding  the  harmony  of  our  system.  Without  the  im- 
provement of  the  heart,  we  would  regard  them  as  fixed  and 
immutable  principles,  dependent  upon  causes  beyond  the  reach 
of  control.  With  it,  we  are  constrained  to  look  up  to  the  Great 
First  Cause,  founded  in  order  and  regulated  bj^  a  harmony 
which  commands  our  admiration  and  obedience.  Thus  it  is 
that  the  extremes,  to  which  the  intellect  in  its  pride  of  right  is 
so  prone  to  err,  is  avoided,  and  moral  truth  asserts  its  empire. 
The  mind,  when  left  to  its  own  action,  is  apt  either  to  degene- 
rate for  want  of  proper  exei'cise,  or  run   into  the  vagaries  of 


9 

every  theory  which  may  2^^'^sent  itself.  It  cannot  remain  in  a 
state  of  repose. 

Study  and  reflection  are  as  necessary  to  its  j)roper  develope- 
ment,  as  action  is  to  the  perfect  physical  organization.  The 
full  developement  of  the  moral  and  intellectual  faculties  is  ac- 
complished by  the  presentation  of  those  great  principles  which, 
in  their  patient  investigation,  leads  to  the  fountain  of  liuman 
knowledge, — the  accomplishment  of  the  greatest  good,  and  the 
attainment  of  the  highest  happiness.  If  this  be  so,  who  doubts 
the  truth  of  the  proposition,  that  Education  consists  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  heart  and  the  head.  If  this  be  not  granted  to 
its  full  extent,  we  would  inquire  for  what  purpose  is  a  child 
removed  from  the  paternal  roof,  and  the  immediate  super- 
vision of  the  parent,  and  placed  under  the  control  of  ano- 
ther whose  feelings  are  comparatively  wide  apart  from  the 
strong  parental  throb?  Is  it  that  the  child  may  be  recog- 
nised simply  as  a  being  of  intellect,  to  sway  the  destiny  of  his 
race,  or  to  befit  him  for  the  active  and  responsible  duties  which 
lie  in  his  pathw^ay  through  life,  and  if  need  be,  to  be  a  minis- 
tering angel  of  mercy?  The  first  may  accomplish  the  object  of 
Education,  if  called  upon  to  pluck  garlands  of  flowers  on  the 
highway.  The  latter  will  fulfil  his  mission,  even  under  the 
cloud  of  adversity.  The  former  has  never  been  taught  that  this 
life  is  strewed  with  sorrow,  and  therefore  is  unprepared  for  the 
rude  shock  of  the  blast.  The  latter  has  become  familiar  wdth 
its  realities,  by  a  constant  remembrance  of  the  great  aim  of 
existence. 

An  appreciation  of  the  purposes  of  life  can  only  be  made  by 
a  mind  schooled  in  its  theory  and  practice,  with  the  moral  sen- 
sibilities attuned  to  their  highest  aspiration.  The  sudden  re- 
vulsions so  often  experienced,  yet  so  seldom  anticipated,  can 
be  met  and  resisted  under  this  combined  influence;  and  charac- 
ter, founded  upon  the  full  developement  of  intellectual  and 
moral  energy,  not  only  remains  intact,  but  continues  to  glow 
with  a  brighter  lustre  as  it  successively  encounters  disappoint- 
ment and  care.  Mere  strength  of  intellect  w411  in  time  cease 
to  sustain  itself;  when  overpowered  by  its  own  weight,  it  falls 
with  a  greater  ruin. 

The  untow^ard  combination  of  events  which  resulted  in  the 


10 

death  of  the  Ladj  Jane  Grey,  has  received  additional  interest 
from  the  beautiful  symmetry  of  character,  as  developed  in  her 
short  but  honored  career.  Alike  insensible  to  the  blandish- 
ments of  queenly  power,  and  the  suggestion s/>f  ambitious  aspi- 
rations, she  yielded  only  to  the  too  strong  influence  of  filial 
affection.  But  in  the  progress  of  events  which  developed  the 
crisis  of  her  position,  she  V)Owed  with  calm  resignation  to  impe- 
rious necessity,  and  left  a  station  unadorned,  because  deprived 
of  the  full  maturity  of  intellectual  and  moral  powers  that  would 
have  given  dignity  to  humanity  and  elegance  to  refinement. 
Devoid  of  those  harsher  features  of  character  whicli  distinguish 
the  purely  intellectual  cultivation,  but  possessed  of  a  firmness 
of  soul  which  could  not  bend  to  the  authority  of  might,  in  the 
fearful  crisis  of  approaching  dissolution,  she  imparted  consola- 
tion to  mourning  friends,  and  pointed  them  to  the  only  source 
of  permanent  happiness.  Her  memory  is  still  embalmed  in  the 
purest  affections  of  our  nature,  and  she  survives,  a  brilliant  gem 
in  the  galaxy  of  England's  noble  women;  while  her  kinswoman, 
distinguished  for  her  masculine  energy  of  character  and  the 
strength  of  a  matured  intellect,  has  almost  ceased  to  be  remem- 
bered, except  as  filling  a  chasm  in  England's  history.  The 
harsh  and  unfeminine  features  <  >f  her  character  have  struck  no 
responsive  chord  in  the  bosom  of  her  sex,  and  when  age  and 
affliction  reached  the  splendor  of  her  palace,  the  wretche«i  re- 
mains of  a  once  honored  queen  were  only  visible  in  occasional 
emissions  of  a  brilliant  intellect. 

The  moral  sense,  perverted  either  by  wilfiii  neglect  or  the 
anxieties  of  a  throne,  lelt  her  no  comforter,  but  a  lingering  exit 
from  a  world  of  woe  to  the  spirit  land.  Where  stands  the  proud 
virgin  cjueen  of  England  in  the  long  and  brilliant  career  of  her 
country's  history?  Lost  in  the  dim  vista  of  the  past,  the  splen- 
did intellectual  achievements  of  this  controlling  spirit  have  lost 
their  lustre  in  the  magnificent  progress  of  subsequent  ages. 
While  her  historians  can  but  simply  repeat  the  thrice-told  story 
of  the  Spanish  Armada  and  the  downfall  of  Spanish  power  tui- 
der  her  vigorous  intellect,  alas!  what  stories  of  hapless  misery 
have  been  left  unrecorded,  lest  the  bare  allusion  sliould  too 
truly  touch  the  vulnerable  character  of  Eiizal)eth,  whose  wo- 
manly graces  were  as  deficient  as  her  mental  powers  were  mi- 
disj)uted. 


11 

Eut  a  sinraltaiieous  developcment  of  the  moral  and  intellect- 
ual character  achieves  for  its  possessor  an  enviable  position  in 
this  world's  esteem.  A  freshness  of  feeling  is  imparted,  which 
mere  intellectual  cultivation  cannot  supply.  And  however 
captivated  we  may  be  at  iirst  with  displays  of  genius,  yet  when 
the  first  impulse  has  been  worn  oiFby  time,  a  sense  of  indiffer- 
ence prevails.  Not  so  with  the  moral  influences,  which  affect 
alike  the  feelings  and  the  ymderstanding.  They  continue  to 
be  appreciated  v/lien  the  force  of  intellect  ceases  to  be  felt,  and 
to  burn  v/ith  a  brigliter  lustre  as  time  confirms  their  truthful- 
ness. How  happens  it  that  the  world  has  always  been  swayed 
by  the  highest  intellectual  and  moral  truths,  even  when  appa- 
rently unmoved  by  their  touching  pathos? 

The  scholar  of  the  present  day  will  turn  aside  from  the  vapicl 
and  baneful  effusions  of  modern  poetry,  to  the  sublime  and 
burning  words  of  Isaiah,  glowing  with  the  brilliant  hues  of 
Eastern  imagery,  and  clothed  with  the  beauties  of  lofty  poetry. 
He  remains  the  model  of  sublime  and  touching  eloquence,  even 
in  the  judgment  of  men  v/ho  profess  not  the  morality,  either  of 
thought  or  of  action,  v/hich  he  advocated.  In  delineation  of 
character,  truthfulness  of  narrative,  or  splendor  of  imagery, 
where  v/ill  you  find  his  equal  in  the  long  catalogue  of  names 
that  give  dignity  to  humanity?  Ilis  name  and  writings  have 
survived  the  mouldering  elements  of  time,  and  remain  to  us  as 
monuments  of  genius,  which  will  continue  so  long  as  there  will 
be  a  language  to  convey  thought.  Compare  him  with  the 
prince  of  modern  poets.  Lord  Byron.  Condemned  by  the  moral 
sense  of  the  world,  as  soon  as  the  first  iinpressions  made  by  the 
corruscations  of  his  genius  v/ere  dimmed,  his  name  has  been 
lost  sight  of  in  the  currer.t  of  passing  events.  His  Childe  Har- 
old is  but  the  querulous  na^rrative  of  a  discontented  spirit,  at 
war  with  true  affection  and  the  best  interests  of  humanity.  He 
takes  pleasure  in  exposing  to  the  world  the  burniug  hatred 
which  he  bears  to  his  country,  and  seeks  to  excite  in  the  bosoms 
of  all  a  corresponding  feeling.  More  than  this:  in  that  land  of 
poetry  and  song,  surrounded  by  the  ruins  of  art  and  of  genius, 
and  hallowed  by  the  recollections  of  the  noblest  efforts  of  human 
power,  he  defies  Deity,  and  boldly  proclaims  blasphemy.  He 
discards  patriotism,  and  with  an  inconsistency  only  to  be  found 


12  ■/: 

in  those  eminently  deficient  in  true  morality,  he  throws  away 
life  in  defence  of  principles  which  he  has  publicly  discarded. 
Such  a  character  can  only  live  for  his  age.     It  belongs  not  to 
the  future.     That  admiration  once  excited  lingers  but  a  mo- 
ment, as  a  gentle  memento  of  misapplied  genius  and  influence. 
But  we  turn  to  a  short  review  of  the  career  and  conduct  of 
two  gifted  females,  who,  in  their  sphere,  contributed  much  to 
the  direction  of  society;  and  while  each  has  left  her  impress 
upon  her  age,  one  will  survive  in  the  leading  characteristics  of 
woman's  power  for  good.     In  point  of  genius  Madame  de  Stael 
was  probably  the  superior  of  her  contemporary,  Hannah  More. 
In  quickness  of  perception  or  keenness  of  repartee,  she  unques- 
tionably excelled.     Yet  Madame  de  Stael  used  the  talent  which 
she  undoubtedly  possessed  rather  to  provoke  the  hostility  than 
to  soothe  and  mollify  the  character  of  her  age.     Surrounded  at 
first  by  the  blandishments  of  refinement,  she  attained  the  cha- 
racter of  a  perfect  mistress  in  all  that  constitutes  mere  intel- 
lectual reputation.     Courted  by  the  wits  of  her  day,  but  shunned 
for  the  burning  sarcasm  of  her  retorts,  she  was  raised  on  a  pe- 
destal, to  be  seen  and  dreaded,  rather  than  admired  of  men. 
Destitute  of  that  genuine  morality  which  w^ould  have  led  her 
to  the  contemplation  and  enforcement  of  truth,  she  sacrificed 
the  many  advantages  for  usefulness,  for  the  character  of  a  wit, 
and  to  have  her  name  hoisted  in  terror  before  the  eyes  of  lite- 
rary critics.     Ambitious  of  social  rank,  she  forgot  the  true  dig- 
nity of  her  sex,  and  anxiously  sought  promotion  for  her  family, 
which  should  have  been  elevated  rather  by  the  power  of  her 
intellect.     Discontented  because  denied,  she  perverted  talents 
that  would  have  excited  a  commanding  influence,  and  died 
without  leaving  any  permanent  record  of  her  greatness.  Seem- 
ingly forgetful  of  her  true  position  and  brilliant  intellect,  she 
preferred  the  temporary  smiles  of  the  day,  to  the  more  slow^ 
yet  more  stable,  admiration  of  the  future.     Her  career  was  run 
with  the  divided  judgment  of  her  contemporaries,  and  the  still 
more  uncertain  judgment  of  ^posterity,  as  to  her  pretensions  to 
an  elevated  rank  among  noble  women.     True,  when  brought 
to  the  fearful  crisis  of  the  guillotine,  the  masculine  energies  of 
her  great  mind  gave  evidence  of  superiority  to  physical  terror, 


13 

yet  it  was  rather  the  triumph  of  mind  over  matter,  than  the 
spiritual  over  the  material. 

Far  different  from  this  is  the  history  of  the  great  English 
novelist,  Hannah  More,  whose  gigantic  proportions  of  character 
display  a  completeness  to  which  but  few  attain.     In  her  you 
behold  a  lovely  and  harmonious  blending  of  simplicity  and  sin- 
cerity; of  strong  practical  knowledge  of  the  world,  with  a  deep 
and  reverential  appreciation  of  whatever  is  good  and  virtuous. 
The  student  of  English  literature  can  hardly  have  failed  to  per- 
ceive the  leading  objects  of  her  thoughts — in  diffusing  the  great- 
est amount  of  moral  truth,  with  an  intimate  acquaintance  of 
human  character.     Possessing  less  brilliancy  than  the  heroine 
of  France,  and  perhaps  less  acuteness  of  perception,  she  far 
surpassed  her  in  an  accurate  estimate  of  character,  and  hence 
.  the  influence  which  she  has  and  ever  will  command.     Of  all 
the  striking  excellences  of  Shakspeare,   that  which  has  been 
most  admired  and  appreciated  is  his  innate  perception  of  cha- 
racter, by  which  he  was  enabled  so  accurately  to  delineate,  as 
to  throw  a  charm  over  every  scene  which  he  drew,  and  to  chal- 
lenge our  belief  as  for  reality  what  was  only  the  inexhaustible 
resource  of  his  inventive  genius.     To  this  knowledge  of  her 
kind,  may  be  assimilated  the  profound  research  of  Hannah 
More.     Though  cloistered  within  her  own  cottage,  she  sent 
forth  from  her  rich  store-house  of  thought  solid  and  incontro- 
vertible truths,  so  grave  and  yet  attractive,  as  to  arrest  the  at- 
tention of  the  wise  and  the  giddy.     It  is  apparent  that  Hannah 
More  lived  not  for  herself,  but  for  the  interest  of  her  race.  The 
fact  that  her  writings  have  not  excited  that  sensibility  which 
others  have  done  immediately  on  their  being  ushered  into  the 
world,  is  no  evidence  of  their  want  of  sterling  merit.     On  the 
contrary,  from  the  reception  of  Paradise  Lost,  and  other  kin- 
dred productions  destined  to  immortality,  it  furnishes  evidence 
of  extraordinary  merit.     The  sympathies  and  prejudices  of  the 
world  are  not  moved  by  a  gentle  cA-ent.     The  deep  and  swol- 
len stream  can  alone  disturb  its  profound  repose;  and  when  the 
lively  and  fanciful  em_anations  of  the  brain  shall  have  passed 
away,  then  will  succeed  in  proper  course  the  profound  impres- 
sions of  deeper  and  nobler  thoughts.     Paradise  Lost,  which 
upon  its  introduction  into  the  world  commanded  but  the  value 


14 

of  five  shillings,  now  exacts  the  respect  and  homage  of  every 
elime.  Hannah  More,  whose  popularity  is  somewhat  eclipsed 
by  the  sparkling  pen  of  the  novelist  and  the  prize  essayist,  will 
burst  forth  with  oriental  splendor;  and  her  name,  linked  with 
those  of  Milton  and  others,  will  descend  to  posterity  as  among 
the  richest  benefactors  of  her  race.  Possessing  a  strength  of 
mind  which  elevated  her  far  above  the  office  of  caterer  to  pop- 
ular appetite,  she  wisely  avoided  its  inviting  proposals,  and  se- 
lected the  less  brilliant  but  nobler  duty  of  instruction  in  the 
Bioral  science  of  life.  This,  united  with  a  solidity  of  personal 
character,  gave  weight  to  her  counsels  and  a  credence  in  her 
integrity,  which  will  long  survive  the  evanescent  popularity  of 
her  contemporaries  and  successors.  Though  palsied  by  death 
and  cold  in  the  ruins  of  the  grave  lie  the  remains  of  Hannah 
More,  her  memory  is  cherished  as  a  green  spot  in  the  aftections 
of  the  heart,  and  we  earn  for  the  enforcement  of  another  living 
example  to  illustraee  the  beautiful  simplicity  of  lier  life. 

We  have  hastily  touched  upon  the  more  prominent  charac- 
teristics of  our  age,  more  with  the  view  of  showing  the  progress 
yet  to  be  made  in  the  various  departments  of  art  and  of  science,- 
when  human  character  shall  have  passed  the  transition  state  to. 
that  more  perfect  developement  which  awaits  it,  and  the  most 
eifective  means  of  reaching  it,  by  a  simultaneous  and  system- 
atic cultivation  of  the  entire  character.  Painful  are  the  efforts 
and  tedious  the  process  by  which  this  point  will  be  attained,, 
but  honored  is  the  position  of  him  whose  life  is  dedicated  to  a 
service  so  imj)ortant  to  his  race.  Upon  him  rest  not  only  the 
good  order  of  society,  but  the  progressive  im]3rovement  of  the- 
mind.  To  him  is  committed  the  destiny  of  characters  matured 
for  eternity,  and  upon  his  skill  in  directing  and  moulding  cha- 
racter, unw^ritten  history  is  yet  to  reveal. 

With  some  of  you,  this  day  will  dissolve  the  rehition  which 
has  existed,  as  teacher  and  pupil.  The  one  will  yet  linger,  to 
rehearse  the  same  lessonPof  instruction  to  those  who  remain; 
the  other,  to  enter  upon  a  new  career,  buo}' ed  with  the  liope  of 
pleasures  yet  to  be  realized,  and  stimulated  by  those  aspirations 
which  reflect  upon  the  generous  nature.  To  those  who  go,  will 
live  in  burning  memory  the  soft  and  mellowed  remembrance 
of  happy  associations  and  disinterested  friendships,  formed  ere 


15 

itile  influences  of  i-iper  years  had  broken  the  chords  which  twine 
around  the  youtJiful  heart.  Go  then,  and  occupy  the  places 
made  vacant  for  you  by  the  changes  of  earth,  and  fill  up  the 
ranks  of  those  ^\dio  are  engaged  in  the  harvest  of  the  world. 
Go,  and  faithfully  discharge  those  duties,  for  the  preparation 
•of  whicli  so  many  anxious  hours  have  been  dedicated,  and  re- 
alize the  fond  dreams  of  maternal  solicitude,  by  the  exhibition 
of  those  womanly  graces,  without  which  the  world  were  a  waste. 
And  throughout  the  fitful  scenes  of  life's  varied  drama,  let 
faithful  memory  bring  you  back  to  the  faded  recollections  of 
these  walls,  yet  lingering  with  reminiscences  of  happier  days, — 

"Wlien  nature  pleased,  for  life  itself  was  new, 
And  tke  lieart  promised  what  the  fancy  drew." 


m 


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